I Have Skin Cancer
I have skin cancer. Figured it would happen one day.
Not A Big Surprise
I play golf two, to three times a week. That’s six to eight hours a week in the sun, here, in the South, where the sun is ALWAYS out. Now, I’ve been bald since I was in my twenties, so I ALWAYS wear a hat. Most of the time, and for many years, it was a “baseball-type” hat. It’s only been in the last five years or so that I’ve taken to wearing a “larger, fuller” hat. Covering my ears, and more of my face. But, honestly, that’s only during the summer months. In the fall, winter and spring, it’s the baseball cap.
Having said that, I should also say, I NEVER use sunscreen. Figured that would catch up with me and it did this week.
I decided, because I’m supposed to be doing “adult” things that I needed to be seeing a dermatologist, so a couple of years ago, I started going.
Going To The Dermatologist
It started innocently enough, he took some “actinic keratosis” off in a couple of spots on my left hand. I play golf lefthanded, that’s the hand WITHOUT the glove. He told me that it was nothing to worry about. He also said there was some on my head, and for that, he prescribed a chemotherapy cream. Not a very pleasant experience for a couple of weeks, but in all fairness, it made a world of difference.
So a couple of weeks ago, it was time to see him again. This time, he removed a VERY SMALL spot from my left temple for a biopsy. Well, it was Squamous Cell Carcinoma. One of the more common types, which is treatable. But having this required another procedure, the MOHS Procedure. With this, they return to the area to make make sure the removal got it all. They’re checking the margins, bit by bit. They cut and then examine. It takes about an hour. If they haven’t gotten it all, they cut, again and again, it’s an hour. They tell you to prepare for a four-hour visit. In my case, and that’s what’s reflected in the photo, they had to cut twice before they were satisfied that it was no longer an issue.
Did I like any of this? No! Am I happy I was proactive and it’s not an issue? I guess. I have sunscreen, and I will promise to use it. And, I hope I keep that promise. I can tell you this, if a dermatologist is NOT part of your medical regimen, it really should be. If you’ve never seen one, go. make sure things are fine. Here’s the bottom line, the many marks on my body that I’ve thought were an issue, aren’t. The very small thing that you could barely see, was cancer.
Take care of it.
Learn More Here
To learn more about skin cancer, click here.
